Chapter 3 - Crush turns into clash

Bella’s POV

My name is Chen Xiu Ying, and my English name is Bella Chen. I am 23 years old, a mixed-race, and an athlete. My dad wants me to train in business, therefore I was forced to finish the course, but my passion is exclusively for fashion designing; what can I do? I must chase my heart's desire.

After graduation, I founded my firm, La Bella Fashion Threads Co., in Manhattan, New York City, with the money I saved as a student and the awards I won in previous contests.

My mother is from the United States, and my father is from China; I am their only child. I was born in New York City and spent a vacation there as a child, but I grew up in China.

Every time we come to New York, my mother would take me to Mrs. Wright's house and let me play with his son and... I can't remember anything other than that.

I didn't foresee that my mother would give up my independence for the sake of their relationship; I expected to be free in the hands of my parents after I opted to stay in my mother's hometown, but it's the other way around.

My mother accompanied me on my flight to New York, and I later found that she is planning to bring me to her closest friend's son to organize a wedding.

Our wedding...

But I, Chen Xiu Ying will not let that happen, I will not let myself be imprisoned in the marriage I didn’t dream of. For me, marriage is something no one can force because I believe that love will bind two people together and I will not let my parents force me to do what they are planning.

So, when I spotted an opportunity to flee, I dashed out of the room, taking my belongings.

Fortunately, a friend of mine in the city agreed to lend me her car. “Good day, Ms. I'd want to retrieve the key sent here by a friend under my name, Bella Chen. “Here is my identification card,” I said as I presented my ID to the hotel employees, and after they confirm my identity, I was able to quickly obtain the key.

I walk with an upright stance and a smile on my face, holding the key in my right hand; it feels like I won a large jackpot after successfully escaping from my mother until her voice reverberated in the hotel corridor and yelled my name.

Sudden panic attacks my entire system, I dash away from my mother without looking at her, swiftly getting into the car, and driving away; I saw my mom from the rear-view trying to chase me but she got tired and stops.

I finally exhale a sigh of relief after fleeing from mom’s hand.

While traveling, I marvel at the gorgeous scenery, but a billboard on top of a skyscraper scares the hell out of me when I saw the name of Wright and his posters.

“...Zachary Cyrax Wright... I suppose he's one of the town's Casanovas by looking at his appearance and he's the one I need to avoid,” I switch lanes hastily until the stoplight goes red and I unintentionally crash into the car in front of me.

"Oh, no!" I pulled my hair in disgrace, knowing it was an expensive automobile, I panic as I stepped out of my car to meet the driver of the car I had hit.

I approach a man in his mid-thirties who is standing next to his car, waiting for me. My eyes dilate and my mouth drops in surprise when I discover the car's name is Ford GT.

“Sir, I’m sorry. I will com..pen…sate for your car,” I stuttered looking at the car. Oh no, this car is expensive. I don’t think I can pay him in full.

“Good! Let me calculate how much it will cost,” he says as he holds his phone up to his face and computes it before showing it to me.

My legs trembled when I saw the calculation for the expense of his car's repair. Fortunately, I recalled that my father had sent me money before I fled the country, so I dug my phone out of my sling bag and opened my Wechat app to transfer him the money, but the funds are currently on hold.

“Oh! I'm really sorry, sir, but I won't be able to pay you today since my money is on hold, and the only cash I have right now is $500. Could you please give me a week to pay you?” I beg your pardon.

“Please accept my apologies, ma'am. My boss is in a hurry, we need to fix this immediately, or else I really need to contact the cops,” he said. I'm panicking right now after hearing the word 'cops.' I can't believe that my first day of staying here will be in jail. Oh God, help me!

What a cruel world!

“Give me a moment, I'll phone a friend.” I move away from him and dial Claire's number, placing it on my ear, hoping she will answer the phone.

“What took you so long, Luke?” I turned my head to view him after hearing a man's forceful voice. My body naturally turns to them, I unintentionally finish the conversation and stare at this good-looking tall man standing in front of me, my mind began to imagine good times being with him.

He has deep blue eyes, an aquiline nose, kissable lips, a diamond face, light skin tone, and black shiny fringe up hair. He's dressed in a black suit that flatters his muscular frame.

“Sir, please accept my apologies. We have a problem, this lady can't pay the cost of your car's repair; she's asking if she can pay you within a month,” I was just staring at them and listening to their conversation.

I watched the man talk to his driver and then leave us. His boss approached me and cornered me; he placed his arm against the wall and brought his face closer to mine. My heart is throbbing in delusion due to his attractive appearance, and all I can do is close my eyes.

“If you sleep with me for one night, you don't have to pay for the repair of my car,” I heard his seductive whisper, making my eyes wide in disdain and fright.

My optimistic thinking about him disperse, and his nice appearance transformed into an ugly demon in my eyes. I clenched my teeth and lifted my hand to hit him on his flawless face, but he grabbed my wrist and stopped me.

He cautioned me, “You better think carefully before hurting me, or you will regret it.”

“Do you think I'm afraid of you?!” I screamed angrily at him. He fought back by gazing at me as well, so I smiled and whacked his ass with my knee, freeing my wrist from his grip.

I hurriedly step away from this scary man as he screamed in anguish and jumped up and down. "You!!!" he pointed his finger at me fiercely and glaring at me as if he wants me dead.

Oh no!

“You asked for it, so I'm giving it to you." I made fun of him even though I was extremely nervous, but he straightened up and went over to me, advising, “I will offer you two options for this matter,” pointing to his broken automobile. “I will not compel you to pay for the repair since you can't afford to pay me in cash if you sleep with me or serve me for months until you can pay it. It's your call,” he added.

I was infuriated at him for leaving me with such a difficult choice. I decided that I'd rather be his servant than lose my virginity to a scoundrel like him, so I decided to agree to his next option.

“Do you have a preference? Have you made up your mind about staying with me tonight?” I rolled my eyes and replied sarcastically, "You think too much, I'd rather be your servant than..." I turned away from him because I felt heated in my face.

“Than to what? Would you mind sharing it with me, Ms.?” I sighed and crossed my arms in front of him, "I have no time for playing sentence completion with you, let's get down to business." I demand.

“All right, give me your number,” he said, and I spotted his driver approaching us and snapped a snapshot of myself and the car.

“Why do you want my phone number and why did you take a picture of me?” I protested irritably.

“If you ever try to ditch me, I can use this proof to sue you,” he said holding the phone of his driver and showing my snapshot.

“Don't worry, I won't get away from my responsibilities,” I replied with a grin. “You can reach me in here,” I said. I walked away after handing him my business card.

Yes... I should have the confidence to leave first because I won't do it, I MIGHT DIE in nervousness.